Heng Swee Keat starts 'national conversation' on Facebook page
The Straits Times, 4 Sep 2012
EDUCATION Minister Heng Swee Keat made his first posting yesterday on a new Facebook page, "OurSGconversation", in another step by the nation's leaders to start the "national conversation" on Singapore's future.
In his welcome posting, he called on Singaporeans to keep contributing their ideas and thoughts, explained why the conversation was necessary, and promised it would be as inclusive as possible.
"We will engage Singaporeans from all walks of life through multiple channels, including dialogue sessions and this Facebook page," he wrote. "Let us share and listen to each other's concerns, hopes and aspirations with open minds and open hearts."
Mr Heng will helm a committee of younger ministers to review Singapore's policies. While he has yet to reveal the members of his team, he has been urging people to join the conversation on what they want Singapore to be like in 20 years' time.
The Facebook page features a logo made up of a heart with the words "Our SG conversation" as well as "Home Heart Hope" - the key themes of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally last month. It includes postings of links to articles and videos about the national conversation.
Mr Heng will helm a committee of younger ministers to review Singapore's policies. While he has yet to reveal the members of his team, he has been urging people to join the conversation on what they want Singapore to be like in 20 years' time.
The Facebook page features a logo made up of a heart with the words "Our SG conversation" as well as "Home Heart Hope" - the key themes of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally last month. It includes postings of links to articles and videos about the national conversation.
Mr Heng's posting yesterday, given in four languages, describes how he was heartened by the ongoing conversations.
"I have heard diverse perspectives and ideas, and received many offers to contribute to this process. These are heartwarming signs that Singaporeans have a desire to make Singapore and the lives of our families and our children better," he wrote.
He thanked people for sharing their hopes, concerns and suggestions, and said he hoped to see these issues discussed at dialogues.
The Facebook page also poses some questions: What matters most to us? What are the values we hold in common? And how can we work together to meet the challenges of the future?
Said Mr Heng: "Singaporeans now have more diverse needs and choices. We also face fresh challenges in the form of technological change and globalisation. But we have the means to shape and create our future. This national conversation is the first step."
No comments:
Post a Comment